94 Ranger - Shocks and spring question

[BigAssTim]

I recently acquired a '94 - 4.0 XLT ext. cab with the heavy duty factory suspension option. I need to replace the shocks and I do not know what to get. On a previous 4x4, I went with Rancho 5000s. I would like to get something better than stock; something for the street and mild off-roading. With that said, where do I start?

Also, the coil springs in the front has had the paint rust, and is peeling off. Should I replace them as well?


Tim

 

[USCGC130]

I think your springs will be fine to leave, you can always hit them with good rust inhibiting primer and fresh paint, depends if you like the way they ride, as for shocks i built my 97 4x4 for offroad and went with the skyjacker M95 shocks after reading good things on this forum, they run about 70$ a piece i think, i haven't used them very much yet but the ride is good, so far. I feel they are probably on par with ranchos, maybe a little bit better, i think after those you would be stepping up to FOX and then kings, and those have several good options but are expensive, plus if your not running your truck too hard they are probably overkill.

Im not familiar with the heavy duty suspension option, how does the heavy duty option differ from standard?

 

[gaz]

BAT:

I've used both RS5000 and RS7000's, I didn't like either. I found neither let the springs move well, resulting in a very stiff (slammy) ride.

Later I tried James Duff's LLC 70/30 shocks, NOTHING BETTER ON THE MARKET!!!

PM me if you want the full report; in summary, putting dual James Duff 70/30's on all four corners thransformed a my truck into an auto that could turn like crazy, never lean and posses great manners, all the while. Even dual front single rear is a CRAZY handling improvement!

In regards to some surface rust on coil springs, if you don't mind the trouble of removing them, they clean up easy and can hold a good paint job for a suprisingly long time.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I just recently upgraded to the skyjacker front leveling kit (part # SKY132X) and am very happy with it. bolted right in, boosted up the front, and the shocks that were included ride nice. They are now starting to settle, improving the ride more so, and looking like I wont need a camber alignment after all...still sits propped up. Its so nice to actually see some wheel well up front to match the back.

Other than that ranchos are fine, maybe go for the 9000 adjustables if you want to switch it up. I have the 9000 leveling struts in my 08 F150 and am happy with them. I dont adjust ever really mess w/ the adjusters though.

I got a few buddies that are bilstein fans.

If you have a local 4wheelparts, call them and ask their opinions, and whats in stock...The staff at my nearby location (Van Nuys,CA) is pretty savvy and helpful. They ask the right questions to understand what Im looking for, and usually can offer various options based on price, performance, ease of installation, urgency etc...and even if they dont have it in stock, their warehouse is not far, which they offer I can go pick up, or come back the next day when its delivered....

Also the in house warranty they offer is pretty hassle free, which I purchased on both my shocks and tires....The 9000's do blow seals at random in my experience....and the tire warranty has saved my ass many times after being stupid or unlucky...

 

[BigAssTim]

I think your springs will be fine to leave, you can always hit them with good rust inhibiting primer and fresh paint, depends if you like the way they ride, as for shocks i built my 97 4x4 for offroad and went with the skyjacker M95 shocks after reading good things on this forum, they run about 70$ a piece i think, i haven't used them very much yet but the ride is good, so far. I feel they are probably on par with ranchos, maybe a little bit better, i think after those you would be stepping up to FOX and then kings, and those have several good options but are expensive, plus if your not running your truck too hard they are probably overkill.

Im not familiar with the heavy duty suspension option, how does the heavy duty option differ from standard?

Thanks for the reply! I think i'll probably leave the springs as-is for now. I was trying to replace the brake lines this last weekend and broke a hard line. I now get to replace all of the hard lines as they are a completely rusted. I'll put the shocks on hold until the brake lines are done. I would hate to get brake fluid on new shocks and have it eat the paint!

As for the heavy duty option from the factory... I don't know. I hope someone here can enlighten me.

Tim

 

[BigAssTim]

BAT:

I've used both RS5000 and RS7000's, I didn't like either. I found neither let the springs move well, resulting in a very stiff (slammy) ride.

Later I tried James Duff's LLC 70/30 shocks, NOTHING BETTER ON THE MARKET!!!

PM me if you want the full report; in summary, putting dual James Duff 70/30's on all four corners thransformed a my truck into an auto that could turn like crazy, never lean and posses great manners, all the while. Even dual front single rear is a CRAZY handling improvement!

In regards to some surface rust on coil springs, if you don't mind the trouble of removing them, they clean up easy and can hold a good paint job for a suprisingly long time.

Hello Gaz,

I will send you a PM about the shocks. I am curious about them. I do remember that my previous ride w/ the Rancho shocks was a bit stiff and slammy. I think I will try a different brand this time around. If I get brave, I might remove the springs and spray them. I just picked up a sand blaster, so this might be my first use of it.


Thanks!

Tim

 

[BigAssTim]

I just recently upgraded to the skyjacker front leveling kit (part # SKY132X) and am very happy with it. bolted right in, boosted up the front, and the shocks that were included ride nice. They are now starting to settle, improving the ride more so, and looking like I wont need a camber alignment after all...still sits propped up. Its so nice to actually see some wheel well up front to match the back.

Other than that ranchos are fine, maybe go for the 9000 adjustables if you want to switch it up. I have the 9000 leveling struts in my 08 F150 and am happy with them. I dont adjust ever really mess w/ the adjusters though.

I got a few buddies that are bilstein fans.

If you have a local 4wheelparts, call them and ask their opinions, and whats in stock...The staff at my nearby location (Van Nuys,CA) is pretty savvy and helpful. They ask the right questions to understand what Im looking for, and usually can offer various options based on price, performance, ease of installation, urgency etc...and even if they dont have it in stock, their warehouse is not far, which they offer I can go pick up, or come back the next day when its delivered....

Also the in house warranty they offer is pretty hassle free, which I purchased on both my shocks and tires....The 9000's do blow seals at random in my experience....and the tire warranty has saved my ass many times after being stupid or unlucky...

Thanks for the advice Eddo, we do have a few 4x4 shops here in SLC, so I'll give them a call. I have to re-do my hard brake lines first, so that call might wait a week or two.


Tim

 

[Eddo Rogue]

no problem, and I agree with the other posts, painting springs is ok too, especially if you are not interested in a particular ride height. And yes I noticed Ranchos (all types) ride a lil harsher...You might wanna Bilsteins or those James Duffs Gaz mentioned, they make good stuff. Please post an update on the hard brake line if possible, I may end up doing mine soon, and head start info will probably help. Cheers

 

[BigAssTim]

no problem, and I agree with the other posts, painting springs is ok too, especially if you are not interested in a particular ride height. And yes I noticed Ranchos (all types) ride a lil harsher...You might wanna Bilsteins or those James Duffs Gaz mentioned, they make good stuff. Please post an update on the hard brake line if possible, I may end up doing mine soon, and head start info will probably help. Cheers

Eddo,

I would start by watching YouTube videos on the brake lines. You will need to know how to flare the ends of the tubing as well. You will also need to buy tubing, a tube bender and a tube flaring kit. Once I get my goodies purchased, I'll shoot you a message. It looks like the lines on my '94 are 3/16" and I will likely purchase the copper-nickel tubing as a replacement (NICOPP).

Check out the videos from this guy:

This one is pretty good too.

Tim

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Eddo,

I would start by watching YouTube videos on the brake lines. You will need to know how to flare the ends of the tubing as well. You will also need to buy tubing, a tube bender and a tube flaring kit. Once I get my goodies purchased, I'll shoot you a message. It looks like the lines on my '94 are 3/16" and I will likely purchase the copper-nickel tubing as a replacement (NICOPP).

Check out the videos from this guy:

This one is pretty good too.

Tim

Sweet Ill check em out...Right now Im researching extended brake line options, Theyre almost stretched already after the leveling kit (and I plan to lift eventually), and I wouldnt mind steel braided to maybe firm up the pedal. Figured when I tackle all that, might as well redo the hard lines....Ive done bending and flaring, but its been awhile. I was more seeking the size and type, which you provided in that last sentence lol

 

[BigAssTim]

Sweet Ill check em out...Right now Im researching extended brake line options, Theyre almost stretched already after the leveling kit (and I plan to lift eventually), and I wouldnt mind steel braided to maybe firm up the pedal. Figured when I tackle all that, might as well redo the hard lines....Ive done bending and flaring, but its been awhile. I was more seeking the size and type, which you provided in that last sentence lol

Eddo,

I found the nicopp doesn’t flare as well as steel. The nicopp flares tend to be mis-shaped and smooshed to one side. I’ve practiced a lot and even bought two different double flare kits. I picked up some steel line and it flared correctly the first attempt. I’m.going to scrap the remaining nicopp I’ve got and put steel lines in. I’ll jut paint the lines and put the armor spring material on the lines. Hopefully that should last a good long time.

Tim

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Good to know!

 

[86isuzu]

Eddo,

I found the nicopp doesn’t flare as well as steel. The nicopp flares tend to be mis-shaped and smooshed to one side. I’ve practiced a lot and even bought two different double flare kits. I picked up some steel line and it flared correctly the first attempt. I’m.going to scrap the remaining nicopp I’ve got and put steel lines in. I’ll jut paint the lines and put the armor spring material on the lines. Hopefully that should last a good long time.

Tim

I agree. Flaring NiCopp is a PITA. Either go for an expensive flare kit or buy pre-flared NiCopp lines. Or, go for polymer coated steel lines.

 

[cookdj39]

BAT:

I've used both RS5000 and RS7000's, I didn't like either. I found neither let the springs move well, resulting in a very stiff (slammy) ride.

Later I tried James Duff's LLC 70/30 shocks, NOTHING BETTER ON THE MARKET!!!

PM me if you want the full report; in summary, putting dual James Duff 70/30's on all four corners thransformed a my truck into an auto that could turn like crazy, never lean and posses great manners, all the while. Even dual front single rear is a CRAZY handling improvement!

In regards to some surface rust on coil springs, if you don't mind the trouble of removing them, they clean up easy and can hold a good paint job for a suprisingly long time.

Hi Bat, I have Duff dual shocks on the front of my 94 ranger. I recently went to replace the shocks as they are pretty rusted due to the snow and salt. I could not remove the bolt on the lower part of the front shock. Any tips?

 

[BigAssTim]

Hi Bat, I have Duff dual shocks on the front of my 94 ranger. I recently went to replace the shocks as they are pretty rusted due to the snow and salt. I could not remove the bolt on the lower part of the front shock. Any tips?

Hi cookdj39,

have you tried soaking the bolts in pbblaster? Spray them and repeat many times. If that doesn’t work, you maybe need to try a heating torch. Ultimately, you might need a nut splitter. Mine were like yours, but pbblaster and a torch and they were loose. I then soaked them in evaporust for a day and they were like new.